Square Dance (1987) Reviews

• A little insider info from one of the actors in this film.

  Jdmoeller2006-03-06

  Greetings, readers. I played Dub Mosely, the preacher in this film. I thought you might like to read a few notes about Winona, who was around 15 at the time we shot this on a sweltering summer day in Waxahatchie,Texas. I have met few young women of her age with the poise and sophistication she possessed. Working with her and Jane Alexander was truly a learning experience and a wonderful one. Although I didn't have scenes with Rob Lowe, I'm proud to have been in this film with him. His portrayal of the young violinist was astounding. I have never seen him do better work, either before or after. Now, here's a little inside stuff. After we shot the film, Daniel Petrie, the director, found that my southern accent wasn't broad enough. He and I discussed the situation after the film was cut and I explained my thoughts as to the reason I kept the "twang" to a minimum: It was at the time of Southern preacher Jimmy Swaggart's problems with a woman of -shall we say- easy virtue, and my characterization was founded on the feeling that "sounding" like that sort of a preacher might remind the audience of Swaggart's indiscretions and they could maybe "lose their concentration" on the film and,instead, wander to thoughts of the current events of the day, making it difficult to get back into the film at hand. Petrie had actually booked me to fly from Texas to Los Angeles to re-voice the role in the required accent. Naturally, I would do anything he wanted -he was the director and it was his film. Unfortunately I was performing in a stage production in the Houston area at the time and could not make the scheduled taping session. Another actor was flown in and the part was, indeed, re-dubbed. Petrie didn't like what he heard, evidently, and decided to stick with my original voice and accent. As a result, what you hear is my original interpretation. Actually, you hear me more than you see me. That's my voice over the shot of the radio during the opening moments of the film. And, don't blink during the revival scene. That's your's truly at the pulpit. I don't know if they'll let me cross-recommend here, but if you want to see more of me check out "They Still Call Me Bruce" and "Not For Publication". I hope you enjoy "Square Dance". It is definitely worth your time and should be in your home library, if only for Winona's and Rob's portrayals.

• Square Dance Is Lovely

  Vertigo-272000-08-03

  Square Dance, a near unknown film (probably because it is violentless) is actually a nice feel-good movie. The best thing about this movie is the acting, Lowe especially... in a enduring performance. Noted mainly because of Ryder's first film, whom is also great (as usual). The only bad thing about this film is what can be expected... it is rather slow at times, and yet still seems to leave loose ends. But it is very much rewarding with a nice ending and notable symbolism of the actual square dances, which leads Ryder back home.

• Hard to change

  bkoganbing2013-08-22

  Square Dance is a film short on plot, but long on character, kind of like an O'Neil work of which one of the stars here Jason Robards, Jr., is most familiar. A lot of the hopelessness of Eugene O'Neil is prominent among these people. If there's a lesson to be learned it's that we make our life choices early and it's hard to change. Jason Robards is a hardbitten old man who has a few acres of farm land on which he raises his granddaughter Winona Ryder who is a most naive young girl having drunk fully from the teachings of the fundamentalist church they belong to. It was her mother who after she had Ryder left home. Now however Jane Alexander is married to Guich Koock who owns a service station and has come back for Ryder. Jane and Gooch live in Fort Worth and the relative sophistication of Fort Worth is too much for Ryder. She forms a friendship with Rob Lowe who is cast in the most offbeat role of his career, a good looking but developmentally disabled young man. He has a gift for music and plays the violin strictly by ear. Simply what happens is that Alexander and Ryder are just too different to get along. And her relationship with Lowe ends in a near tragedy. In his recent memoir Rob Lowe says he took the part to extend his range and show he is more than capable of being the Eighties 'It' boy as he described himself. Square Dance may have been the first time he's attempted a broadening of the range, but in the years since he's not been a teen heart throb, he's met a number of acting challenges successfully. Ryder was all innocence and shine in Square Dance which was her breakthrough part as well. In fact the whole ensemble performed well in this most unknown of Rob Lowe films.

• Good movie good cast.

  Colin7482000-07-06

  Square Dance had a great cast and great acting, which helped make it's story more alive.Some parts were slow but over all it was a good movie.Throughout the movie I was impressed to see that Lowe could be a good actor.All those true Romance fans will love this one.Square Dance was also Ryder's first staring role.

• love it

  blackstonmichael2008-11-10

  a couple of years ago bought square dance at a video store on VHS and watched the movie from start to finish and i have to say this movie is very good but very underrated. let's start with the film debut of wynonna rider. i thought her film debut was very astonishing and to be considered a promising actress in that decade which she continued to promise more great performances up until her arrest for shoplifting years ago. Jane Alexander and Jason robards were very affective in this film. last but not least rob Lowe's performance. let's start by saying that his performance was very underrated however was nominated for a golden globe, i thought he should of got an Oscar nomination for his role as mentally in-pair gema now that's the hardest role Lowe has ever taken on. if you can find this movie on VHS or DVD go buy it!!!1